Podsednik stays back for tuneup

Leadoff batter Scott Podsednik will play catch-up in Tucson in hopes of rejoining the White Sox in time to start Sunday night's regular-season opener against Cleveland.

Podsednik reported his tight left groin was feeling better and that he would benefit from playing in minor-league games Friday and maybe Saturday.

Podsednik has played in only seven Cactus League games because of tendinitis in his left (throwing) shoulder, and he hasn't played since tweaking his groin Monday while running out a double against the Cubs.

"I can get more at-bats here in a more controlled environment where I really don't have to go all out than going to Atlanta [for the final exhibitions]," Podsednik said. "I can test it and see where we're at."

Podsednik was confident he would return by Sunday's opener, adding he felt fine after running on a treadmill Wednesday.

With the versatility of Pablo Ozuna, who would start Sunday if Podsednik isn't ready, the addition of Rob Mackowiak and Podsednik's history of leg problems, Podsednik wasn't sure if he would get more rest in April in an effort to preserve his health.

"The focus is to put this behind you so it's not creeping up," Podsednik said.

Money matters

The Sox added more than $23 million to their 2005 World Series championship payroll but still will be below $100 million on Opening Day.

Thanks to the addition of slugger Jim Thome and pitcher Javier Vazquez and the re-signing of Paul Konerko, the Sox's projected player payroll will be about $98.959 million. That represents only 2006 salaries and doesn't include buyouts or roster bonuses.

The Sox's cash obligations, however, will be reduced to around $92 million stemming from a small portion of the $26 million they received in trades for Thome and Vazquez.

Thome is the Sox's highest-paid player at $12.5 million--$500,000 more than Konerko, who signed a five-year, $60 million contract despite receiving more attractive financial offers from Baltimore and the Los Angeles Angels.

Despite Bobby Jenks blowing a save in the ninth inning of a 3-3 tie with Colorado, manager Ozzie Guillen maintains faith in his closer. "One bad pitch," Guillen said. "His velocity was 97 or 98 m.p.h." . . . Contreras pronounced his right elbow fit for Wednesday's start after allowing one run on six hits in 4 2/3 innings against Colorado. Contreras walked four and attributed his control problems to his forkball that floated in and out of the strike zone. . . . Teammates required Jenks (Fred Flintstone), center fielder Brian Anderson (Arizona State female cheerleader), left-hander Boone Logan (gladiator) and minor-league outfielder Ryan Sweeney (Arizona State male cheerleader) to dress in costumes on the team's flight to Atlanta.